Powerhead And Carbon Question

[randallhart]

Do you guys and gals think that a powerhead is a good source of filtration?

And also I saw carbon in my lfs and it says it keeps water crystal clear. Does it really work?

 

[Don Trinko]

A power head moves water. It depends on what it moves water through for filtration.

Carbon will take some medicines and most coleration from water. If yor water is colored from drift wood or something it will take the color out. It will not remove fine particles. Don T.

 

[Danno]

Powerheads are impellers with a short intake and vent. They are made to push water and create a current. If you have one and it is pointed at the top of your tank to make rough ripples at the top of the tank it can oxygenate your water better than an air pump! On the clarification part...there is no part of a powerhead that "buffers" water.

 

[randallhart]

would you prefer the powerhead over a bubble curtain? Also would you recommend one? And also, I have no driftwood in my tank and it is relatively clean. Would you recommend carbon?

 

[*Fishkies*]

I just bought my first powerhead for my goldfish tank and i love it. It gives the goldfish the extra oxygen they needed. I alrady had to big bubble curtains going, however the powerhead is what i needed. It helps to really oxygenate the water.

I have always used carbon, I find it to keep the water sparkling clean, more then anything else. It helps keep my tnaks looking great.

 

[randallhart]

I was wondering *Fishkies* what do you put your carbon in before you put in the filter? Like a bag or something?

 

[*Fishkies*]

Well I buy the replacable cartridges for some filters. For others I have refillable plastic containers that hold the carbon. Let me see if i can give you an example of both...

Replacement Filter Cartridge Picture Example
Refillable Cartridge image.

There ya go. Hope that helps!

 

[randallhart]

Sure did.

 

[jayjay]

No I don't recommend carbon, it's a waste of time in my own eyes and many other peoples. I would rather do water changes to remove medication. I would be more beneficial for the fish to have tannins from the wood in the water in most cases. Filter floss will do a much better good at getting fine particles out of water. The last point I have against it, is the cost and how often it actually needs replacing. Do a search of the forums for threads on carbons and make up your own mind on the subject.

Power heads however have their uses, I'm using power heads to keep my tanks clean as they push the waste round so the filters can pick it out. The added current is also liked by some fish who will swim against it. On the subject of helping to aerate, they do a great job due to the power of some to help add more oxygen to the water.

 

[randallhart]

I don't think I'll be picking up the carbon, but I'm going to get a powerhead for sure.